Varsity Life time machine:TV then and now

By Jake Rakoci, South Lake High School

February 27, 2011

Amidst a rough economic time, the entertainment business has taken a big hit. People are cutting back when it comes to entertainment, from downloading fewer songs on iTunes to going to the movies less often. Consequently, television has become an alternative form of entertainment for families.

Ninety-nine percent of households own at least one television set, according to the Sourcebook for Teaching Science. Therefore, TV programs have thrived more than ever. From the 1950s to the present, each decade has had its defining shows that shaped entertainment for many Americans.

1950s- In the 1950s television struggled to be a mass media source. There were three channels to choose from: NBC, CBS and ABC. "I Love Lucy" was one of the most popular shows and still has a following today. "Gunsmoke," a Western show set in Kansas, remains the longest running prime-time show to this day, with a staggering 20 seasons and 635 episodes.

1960s- Television of the 1960s was considered to reflect old-fashioned views that were safe for the whole family to watch. Controversial shows were not even considered at this time, and having a TV in the house was becoming more common. Shows like "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Addams Family" were great examples of clean, family-oriented entertainment that defined 1960s television.

1970s- The 1970s were a lot different from previous decades of TV. It was the decline of family entertainment and the rise of socially hip sitcoms. Color TV became permanent and the term "couch potato" was coined. "All in the Family" broke through the socially acceptable barrier at the time and paved the way for future popular shows. "Happy Days" and "Three's Company" were also examples of this.

1980s- Television was revolutionized in the 1980s. It was the birth of the remote control, the invention of cable and TV's fourth network, FOX. "Dallas" was the No. 1 show in the early 80s and made things like death on TV more widespread. "The Cosby Show" was one of the few popular family-oriented shows that still existed.

1990s- TV in the 1990s might be more familiar to today's generation. ABC's "Thank God It's Friday" slogan promoted Friday nights on the couch with the family. Shows like "Home Improvement," "Full House" and "Seinfeld" were all extremely popular. "The Simpsons" became a megahit on FOX and the 90s was a time when many different channels could compete for the most views.

2000s and beyond- This past decade of TV has taken the industry to the next level. Whether it was "Survivor," "American Idol" or "Lost," the decade had defining hits and introduced reality TV. HBO took off with huge hits with "The Sopranos" and "Entourage." Presently, "Skins" on MTV has had huge success with the younger generation, likewise with "Jersey Shore," which had a record-breaking 8.45 million viewers its opening episode. Each of these shows pushes the barriers of socially acceptable standards further than any other generation did.

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